Electric Razor or Blade?

[Melensdad]

I used to be a blade guy but grew a beard and so my need to shave was actually minimal.

After I realized my beard was older than some of my employees I shaved the beard and my daughter cried for almost a week. Several years later she doesn't cry when she sees me anymore, but winces a little just because I am ugly.

Anyway, I've got a top of the line Panasonic electric razor that cost too much and under performs, but I've been using it for a couple of years now. Now I'm wondering what you guys use and do you find that electric razors are just expensive toys that don't work well. Or if maybe I just have a crummy razor? Anyone use a brand that actually works?

Thoughts

 

[RoadKing]

I shaved with a blade for years then one of my kids gave me a Norelco rechargeable. Now I go back to the blade only when I want a really close shave. It mainly comes down to 90 seconds for an decent shave of 5 minutes for a good shave. I even think haircuts are a waste of time . I get two per year. Works for me

 

[thcri]

Bob,

I have been using the Norelco electric razors for years. In fact I still have and am using the second one I ever bought. I keep it at my cabin so it doesn't get used much but it still is working great.

I did move on to the Norelco ones with the cream and you use it in the shower. I love the idea and how it shaves but am on my second one of them shavers and the second one is not going to make it much longer. The best I can get out of them is two years. This second one has been in for repairs under warranty twice now.

I have always hated a blade, I hated the time it took, I hated the nicks and I itched like a SOB. However, in the last year since my Norelco has been in the shop it has forced me to use a blade, I use it right in the shower and have kind of gotten to like it. I think they have better shaving cream now days and I don't itch as much. But it is not as fast as the Norelco in the shower.

murph

 

[Av8r3400]

I have 'stalled' electric razors my beard is so heavy. Blade only for me. Gillette Sensor 2 or 3 (which ever is on sale). I've never seen an electric that could handle my beard, so waste of money for me. I use the blade right after the shower without cream. (Never used cream, too messy and time consuming.) I wear a beard, so I'm just shaving neck and cheeks.

Haircuts: paid for my last one 15 years ago. $20 at "Costcutters". What a ripoff. Went and bought a $30 clippers and never looked back. Longest my hair gets is 1/2", do beard and whole head at same time every 2 weeks or so.

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

I had a "mesh" style razor but I wore out the mesh and switched to a "rotary" style. You may want to try a rotary style razor. I'm not sure you need a top of the line version for testing. The blades are expensive to replace ($20-30) but I don't have to replace them too often.

Shaving sucks so I only do it every other day (Yes - I work at home).

I think a regular razor gives the best cut if you are looking for a really good shave.

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

Bob,

I have been using the Norelco electric razors for years. In fact I still have and am using the second one I ever bought. I keep it at my cabin so it doesn't get used much but it still is working great.

I did move on to the Norelco ones with the cream and you use it in the shower. I love the idea and how it shaves but am on my second one of them shavers and the second one is not going to make it much longer. The best I can get out of them is two years. This second one has been in for repairs under warranty twice now.

I have always hated a blade, I hated the time it took, I hated the nicks and I itched like a SOB. However, in the last year since my Norelco has been in the shop it has forced me to use a blade, I use it right in the shower and have kind of gotten to like it. I think they have better shaving cream now days and I don't itch as much. But it is not as fast as the Norelco in the shower.

murph

I find it easiest to shave with my electric razor when my face is really dry. It seems to keep the hairs more brittle and the razor glides over my face easier.

 

[mtntopper]

For electric shaving , I prefer the Norelco rechargeable triple header. The cheaper Norelcos are not as good as the ones that cost around $80 to $100 in my opinion. I have both a cheapy and more expensive Norelco. I don't use the cheapy as it seemed to leave my face rough and with more stubble.The old blade gives the best shave but is much more time consuming.
As to hair cuts, I am cheap. My wife has cut my hair and (ears) for the past 33 years. I would venture to say I have saved over $12,500.00 in hair cut money minus the bandages.

 

[DaveNay]

What are these things you speak of? Razors? Blades? Shaving? I know not what you mean.

I quit shaving about 12 years ago. Being a red-head, my facial hair grows slowly, and I got tired of trying to remember to shave every 3-4 days (at least daily, it becomes part of your routine). Now I just pull out the electric trimmer once a week to do my neck and such. And about once a month, I will use the trimmer to shorten the length of my beard.

 

[Melensdad]

Dave, I've seen your beard.

I'm looking for advice on electric razors versus blades. Not hedge trimmers!

 

[Junkman]

I have a Husqvarna hedge trimmer and it works great. I lube the bar with WD40 when cutting Arborvitae. Junk...

 

[DaveNay]

Dave, I've seen your beard.

Yeah, and if I remember rightly, your first reaction when you saw me was "Oh wow, I used to have a beard just like yours. sigh...."

 

[Melensdad]

And that is why I know the correct tool to use for the job!

 

[BoneheadNW]

Blade in the shower every morning or else my stubble will itch. I use a one of those disposables that come in packs of a bazillion you get at Costco and change to a new one about once a week. I have found the shaving cream for sensative skin works best at the end of the shower as I am very sensative. Speaking of which, how is your hoof there Bob?
Bonehead

 

[Dargo]

I'm a rotary electric guy about 3/4 of the time and a blade guy the other 1/4 of the time. Electric is easier and faster but I'm in no way convinced you can get "as close as a razor" like they claim. My beard is medium thick but grows really fast. My business clients never even notice if I have a beard, no beard, or a mustache anymore. I've lost my ability to disguise because I sometimes change from week to week.

On weekends I have the perpetual "Don Johnson" look back from the days of Miami Vice. Well, I'm not trying to look like him, just lazy.

 

[Melensdad]

I think I am seeing a trend in the responses and it appears that the Norelco Rotary razors are the way to go. I know I am not satisfied with what I have. Despite some really nice features, it really does not shave very close. My beard grows quickly and and is medium coarse. The razor does not seem to deal well with the coarse areas, especially on my neck. Also I get 5 0'clock shadow by 3pm in the afternoon

how is your hoof there Bob?

Hurts like hell today. I was planning on going to church this morning because my daughter is an alter server today but I'm sitting on my rear with my foot elevated. I think I did too much yesterday. I thought it was getting better and I have been living like a hermit lately so I got out of the house and ran some errands (very little walking) but then in the afternoon I got out the pressure washer and scraped & pressure washed the underside of the mower deck on the Ventrac. I think that was a little too much. Took a couple 750mg Vicodins last evening and they only dulled the pain. Slept like crap too! They knocked me out, but it was not a restful sleep.

 

[BigAl]

Also I get 5 0'clock shadow by 3pm in the afternoon

Thats because there is a 2 hour time difference between you and me . DUH!!!

I use a pumice stone and axle grease !

 

[Mith]

Haircuts are for wussies and people who have well paid jobs. Havent had my hair cut for 3 years.
No offence intended to people who cut their hair.

 

[dzalphakilo]

I think I am seeing a trend in the responses and it appears that the Norelco Rotary razors are the way to go. I know I am not satisfied with what I have. Despite some really nice features, it really does not shave very close. My beard grows quickly and and is medium coarse. The razor does not seem to deal well with the coarse areas, especially on my neck. Also I get 5 0'clock shadow by 3pm in the afternoon

Norelco is what I have as well, but don't use it that often.

Like some here, now have a beard. Will cut it down to a gotee (sp?), then a mustache (sp?) for a day or two, then grow the beard back in a week or so.

As mentioned, some people I know forget what "I'm wearing" as far as whats on my face (hair wise).

Problem I have with any electric devise is the area under my jawbone, hard to get a "tight flush fit" with the electric razor no matter what. Seems like I always don't get a clean cut in that area with any electric razor, however the norelco works best.

I did read a study on this though that pointed that whatever devise you use to shave with, you need to keep using that same devise again and again. Apparently, with your hair follicals (sp?), it takes some time for the area shaved "to get used to" whatever your using (between an electric razor or blade).

Most of the time now I just use a razor and hot water if the beard comes off and I want it "clean looking".

 

[Melensdad]

What do you guys think of this one from Norelco?

http://www.norelcostore.com/product_detail.asp?HDR=dry&T1=NOR%209160XL

It seems to be one of the better ones, it is a "dry razor" not the lotion dispensing type. Norelco has it for $179 on their website, but just a quick check on the internet showed it for $129 on Amazon.com. It might be found cheaper but that was the first site I looked at. It seems to meet my criteria of being water resistant and includes a charging stand. It also seems to use their more advanced type of cutting heads and that is what this all really seems to boil down to.

I'm surprised that nobody else seems to use the linear type razors (like the Panasonic I have been using, or the Braun razor that is fairly heavily advertised). Then again, it could be that all you guys learned long ago what I am learning now. The rotary razors seem to actually work for you guys. And obviously I have been unhappy with my razor for the 2+ years that I have owned it.

Murph uses the lotion dispensing Norelco. What is the advantage to lotion dispensing verses the dry type? Or is it just a matter of preference? Do some of you other guys use the lotion dispensing and just didn't mention it?

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

Haircuts are for wussies and people who have well paid jobs. Havent had my hair cut for 3 years.
No offence intended to people who cut their hair.

Ha! The one thing I learned as a bouncer was that guys with long hair are easier to beat up. All that hair makes a great handle to hold on to while pounding their heads on the ground!



No offence to you long haired girlie types.

 

[Deerlope]

I got the same saftey razor that I had in basic training. Still works good just hard to find the thin blades for it.

 

[Mith]

PB, I'll remember to cut my hair if I think I'm about to get beaten up by a bouncer, thanks
Until then, I'll continue to laugh at all you shorties with sunburnt backs of necks.

I have found at various places though that long hair unfortunately seems to attract drunk people and lighters.

 

[Melensdad]

I'll remember to cut my hair if I think I'm about to get beaten up by a bouncer, thanks

I used to have long hair too. Then I started to keep it moderately long (about 5" on the sides) and I got nagged at for years by everyone.

I've now just cut it short about a month ago. It was a total shock. I've never kept it 'above the ears' before. I would say that the hair on the side of my head is about 1/2" long. Honestly people I know walk right past me and don't recognize me.

 

[Mith]

Bob, I used to have mine short, then it grew long. People dont recognise me anymore either. Its great!

 

[Dargo]

Bob, that is the electric razor I use except mine must be last year's model. Mine has a LED display that reports the number of minutes of shaving time left on the charge. The ability to wash it and have it cleaned under water, as opposed to my older ones that I just tapped the trimmings out of, seems to make it much better at not pulling hairs out if I don't shave over the weekend.

 

[dzalphakilo]

I got the same saftey razor that I had in basic training. Still works good just hard to find the thin blades for it.

Three times a day I had to use that blade or more push ups Never said anything about having fast growing facial hair.

 

[Melensdad]

This Braun is very much like my Panasonic, but the foil is dramatically different. My foil on my Panasonic is full of circular holes. The Braun, which is very popular, has hexigons instead of circles, there are also rectangles. I wonder if that makes any difference in grabbing and standing up the hair before it gets cut? The rotary razors seem to all have some form of rectanglular slits.

These Brauns are supposed to be the best selling linear razors. At the time I bought my Panasonic, it was the 'fastest' cutting, and was touted to be the smoothest cutting razor on the market. Perhaps so, but I'm just not happy with the results.

 

[thcri]

Bob,

The Braun or anything with a straight line edge never worked for me. The triple heads on the norelco and even some others out there I am sure would work for me, I just stayed with the Norelco because of the luck I had on my first two, my last two not so much.

The lotion dispensing one is mostly for use in the shower and has conditioners in it. As long as mine is working I am very happy with it. Now the new Norelco you describe is a new feature they have and I may just try that one after the one I have now quits working.

Now I think, and you will have to check further into it but Norelco had a money back gurantee on some of their units. If you don't like it after 60 days you can return for a full refund. If so it might be worth trying out then.

murph

 

[Melensdad]

Wow is this great!

Last night I had a meeting at my daughter's new school with the priest, principal, etc. After the meeting the lovely Mrs_B announced she needed to pick up some stuff at the store. We pulled into the Target store and I ended up looking for some replacement parts for my Panasonic razor. No luck. And I have been pretty fed up with the Panasonic anyway. They had a nice selection of Braun, Remmington and Norelco razors.

I picked out a new Norelco, largely because it claimed to offer the "closest shave of any electric razor." And since it claimed it on the fancy package I figured it must be true.

The model I picked was the SmartTouch 9160XL, not the highest priced unit but it had a very long operating time when fully charged. I figured I could use it on business trips without having to also pack the charger, so I opted for this version. They had another very similar model that used the same shave heads for about $50 less, but it has a shorter operating time, if not for that I would have purchased the less expensive model. It also lacked a couple other features but honestly I didn't see much value so I really only traded up for the additional battery life.

This model comes with a charging stand, but it does not come with the automatic cleaning & charging stand. There are a couple versions that do that, but again it just seemed to be something else that was unnecessary. Besides the stand takes up a lot more counter space on the vanity. One neat little bonus is the charging stand has a small clock in the base, that is a handy little feature.

What I like most is that this thing actually works! Unlike my Panasonic, which made noise and attempted to cut my wiskers, this Norelco actually does the job, does it quickly, and does it without leaving visible stubble.

 

[Junkman]

You sound almost orgasmic talking about shaving....